About

Cost

$
$
$
$
$

Difficulty

•
•
•
•
•

Time

1h00

The Big Book of Jewelry MakingGive a lift to any outfit with this bright leather hot-air balloon. The movable basket gently swings with your every step, making you feel as though you could simply float away.

Glue the smaller, decorative balloon elements into place on the larger balloon-shaped piece.

Step 3

Sew from the triangle peaks of each piece to the peaks of the one below using a loose running stitch, finishing in a straight line at the base (see page 344). Don’t worry if the back looks messy; you will be covering it up later.

Step 4

Loop lengths of the thin ribbon around the bottom row of stitches and tie into a series of tight double knots. Trim so that only 3⁄8in (10mm) hangs on either side of the stitch. Paint the ribbon ends with clear nail varnish to stop them fraying.

Step 5

Use the template to cut out two “baskets” from balsa wood. Cover one side of each piece with glue and lay face down on the “wrong side” of patterned ribbon.

Step 6

Leave the baskets to dry before trimming around the edges to remove excess ribbon. Glue the other sides of basket pieces and sandwich both 5⁄8in (15mm) lengths of chain between them. Make sure the chains are parallel with 3⁄16 in (5mm) exposed at the top.

Step 7

Make two small holes at the base of the balloon 3⁄16 in (5mm) apart. Use pliers to open the jumprings (see page 332) before looping them through. Thread the exposed ends of the chain through the jumprings and snap them closed with pliers.

Step 8

Glue the final leather piece to the balloon back and secure the pin back.